General Information - Hiring And Firing Your Lawyer

Skip to Main Content hide navigation menu

• About Us
  • About the Library
  • Library Policies
  • Get a Library Account
  • Renew a Library Account
  • Contact Us
  • Pamphlets & Brochures
  • History of the Library
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Financial Information
  • Public Services »
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Document Delivery
  • Inmate Copy Service
  • Mailing List
  • Reference Librarians
  • Wi-Fi in the Library
• Library Resources
  • Collections »
  • Attorney General Opinions (1891–1938)
  • Braden's Annotated Texas Constitution
  • Continuing Legal Education Materials
  • Digital Collection
  • Historical Texas Statutes
  • Law Reviews
  • Library Databases
  • Parole & Mandatory Supervision Law
  • Print Materials
  • Recommended Books & E-Books
  • Restrictions After a Criminal Conviction
  • State of the Judiciary Messages
  • Conference Room
  • Library Catalog
  • Photocopiers
  • Public Computers
  • Scanner
• Library Catalog
  • Advanced Search
  • Log In to Your Account
• Law & Legislation
  • Texas »
  • Constitution
  • Statutes
  • Administrative Rules
  • Case Law
  • Attorney General Opinions
  • Municipal Laws & Ordinances
  • Building Codes
  • Federal »
  • Constitution & Statutes
  • Rules & Regulations
  • Laws of Other States
• The Courts
  • About the Texas Courts
  • Texas Court Rules
  • About the Federal Courts
  • Federal Court Rules
  • Commonly Requested Legal Forms
  • Legal Assistance Organizations
  • State of the Judiciary Messages
• Legal Help & Info
  • Find Legal Help »
  • Legal Aid
  • Legal Hotlines
  • Legal Clinics
  • Legal Advocacy Organizations
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Hiring a Lawyer
  • Find Legal Information »
  • Legal Forms & Templates
  • Legal Guides by Topic
  • Legal FAQs
  • Legal Research for Beginners
  • Law Libraries of Texas
  • Law Libraries of Other States

1. Home
2. Guides
3. Hiring a Lawyer

Hiring a Lawyer Information and resources for finding and working effectively with a lawyer. Search this Guide Search View all pages in this guide

Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.

General Information

Hiring a Lawyer Small Claims Cases Types of Legal Services Small-Scale Services Simple Legal Questions Free Legal Assistance Books

Hiring a Lawyer

People often hire a lawyer to deal with a lawsuit or criminal charges. Executors in probate proceedings must hire an attorney to represent the estate and third-party interests.

But a lawyer can be useful in many other situations. If you're writing a legal document or have legal questions, it's a good idea to consult a legal professional. A lawyer can inform you about your rights, write paperwork on your behalf, and give you advice on how to proceed. Example scenarios where it helps to have an attorney include:

• divorce or child custody disputes;
• buying or selling property;
• writing a will;
• writing a contract;
• disagreement with an HOA;
• starting or running a business.

Initial consultation with a law firm is often free. It can help you determine if a lawyer is a good fit for your situation. Finding a Lawyer page has more information about what to look for.

Understanding the Law

• 5 most common reasons people hire attorneys (McMullin Injury Law) Scenarios in civil and criminal law for considering an attorney's services.
• Do I need a lawyer? 9 reasons to hire an attorney (TorHoerman Law) Several reasons why you might want to hire an attorney for your lawsuit.
• How to Select a Lawyer (TexasLawHelp.org) This article explains what to consider when hiring a lawyer.

Small Claims Cases

Small claims cases of $20,000 or less are tried in Justice of the Peace (JP) courts. People often represent themselves as JP courts are less formal than district and county courts.

Hiring an attorney isn't required, but it can be helpful. This is especially true if you have a less-than-straightforward case.

Understanding the Law

• Do I need a lawyer for a small claims case? (Texas State Law Library) This FAQ discusses representing yourself in a small claims case and when you may want to consider hiring a lawyer.
• Small Claims Cases (Texas State Law Library) Learn more about filing a small claims case in Texas justice of the peace courts.

Types of Legal Services

A lawyer can provide a variety of services. Specifics will depend on the client's needs. An attorney may:

• provide legal advice;
• communicate on the client's behalf;
• represent the client in negotiations and court proceedings;
• prepare a case for trial;
• write, review, and file legal documents;
• guide the client through the legal system.

The articles below discuss the variety of services you might expect from a lawyer.

Understanding the Law

• The Roles and Responsibilities of Attorneys (Law Intershow) This article discusses different types of attorneys and what they can do for their clients.
• Types of Legal Services That You Can Get From a Firm (Growth Market Reports) This article explains the meaning of "legal services."

Small-Scale Services

If you only need limited services or can't afford full representation, limited scope representation or "unbundled legal services" can be an affordable alternative. It could be a good option if you're looking for:

• an hour or two of legal advice;
• help with a form;
• review of a contract;
• help representing yourself.

There is no single list of attorneys who offer unbundled services. You may have to contact them individually to ask about limited representation.

Understanding the Law

• Limited Scope Representation (Texas Access to Justice Commission) The Texas Access to Justice Commission provides information to consumers and attorneys about this type of legal service.
• Limited Scope Representation (TexasLawHelp.org) This article from TexasLawHelp.org gives a short overview of limited scope representation as well as things to consider when choosing this arrangement.
• Limited Scope Representation (Texas State Law Library) Information about limited scope representation and unbundled legal services in Texas.

Simple Legal Questions

If you don't want to hire an attorney, a legal hotline may be able to help. Hotlines offer free legal assistance over the phone or online. They may answer simple legal questions but usually won't be able to help with complex problems or offer extended assistance.

You may have to meet certain income requirements to qualify for free services.

Understanding the Law

• Legal Hotlines Links to free legal advice hotlines in Texas.
• FreeLegalAnswers.org This website allows you to ask a lawyer a legal question in writing. You will receive an e-mail when an attorney has answered your question. Only those who meet certain criteria qualify for this service. The American Bar Association runs this service.

Free Legal Assistance

If you're facing criminal charges and can't afford an attorney, you may be eligible for a court-appointed attorney.

Parties to most civil lawsuits do not qualify for court-appointed attorneys (with some exceptions). If you make below a certain income, you can apply for free legal aid or try to find a "pro bono" attorney to take your case.

Understanding the Law

• Pro Bono Lawyers: Where to Find One and How to Work With Them (TexasLawHelp.org) This article can tell you what a pro bono lawyer is, where to find one, and how to best work with a pro bono lawyer.
• Legal Aid and Pro Bono Representation and How to Find It (Nolo) Learn about legal aid and pro bono representation, the difference between them, and how to find free legal aid and pro bono legal services.
• Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid (Texas State Law Library) Organizations in Texas that provide free or low-cost legal aid to qualifying individuals.

Books

Available when you visit the library in person.

• Finding the Right Lawyer [print book] Call Number: KF 311 Z9 F66 Published by American Bar Association, this book helps people find a lawyer and offers practical advice for what you might expect in an attorney-client relationship.
• How to Deal With Your Lawyer: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions [print book] Call Number: KF 311 F69 Information about attorney-client relationship, attorneys' fees, ethical responsibilities, and what to do if the relationship goes wrong.
• The Lawsuit Survival Guide: A Client's Companion to Litigation [print book] Call Number: KF 8863 L39 Information on the legal process when you are involved in a lawsuit. Provides tips on how to effectively work with your attorney and explains practical issues such as fees and retainer agreements.

Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.

• Next: Finding a Lawyer >>

• Last Updated: Oct 23, 2025 11:25 AM
• URL: https://guides.sll.texas.gov/hiring-and-firing-your-lawyer
• Print Page

Librarian Login Report a problem Subjects: Working With Lawyers Tags: attorney, attorney/client relationship, attorneys, civil law, criminal law, lawyer, lawyers, legal advice, sixth amendment